Shouldn't teachers earn more?
By JacquesF1
@JacquesF1 (25)
South Africa
September 16, 2009 2:54pm CST
Teachers are the builders of our societies but they are the worst paid professionals! I was a teacher for twenty years but with my Degree and Diploma earned less than some of my previous learners who left school to become entrepreneurs. My brother-in-law did a diploma, went to work and three years later he was earning more than I did who had been working for 17 years - one of the main reasons why I left. When I joined the business world I earned nearly three times my teacher's salary, however, I miss teaching. I've always seen it as a calling but you can't make a living from a calling.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@Graceekwenx (3160)
• Philippines
16 Sep 09
i agree with you. Teachers should be really well-compensated as they are the ones who molds our future leaders.
i guess the only reason why some teachers still stay on the teaching field is that they are well appreciated by their students. Teaching is such a hard job! Their responsibility is very critical.
@JacquesF1 (25)
• South Africa
17 Sep 09
Most remain in teaching as it offers some form of security. A guaranteed monthly salary, although it is far from enough and then some of the other benefits make them feel safe in this cocoon. However, I've found out that there is actually a life after teaching and a much better one than that.
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
16 Sep 09
I think that teachers do a very worthwhile job and they should obviously be compensated well for their hard work. There's always some news story about how teacher's have to put up with some pupils that have no discipline whatsoever and it seems that teachers are losing the battle! I think that they said there was a shortage of teachers and some people just did not want to go into this profession anymore. If we did not have teachers then I feel that the society would just fall apart at the seams! Andrew
@JacquesF1 (25)
• South Africa
17 Sep 09
Once when playing at a casino an old gentleman told me that if you play peanuts, expect peanuts. What does this have to do with teachers? Well I guess in some cases you get teachers that don't put in a lot of work because they are being paid peanuts. On the other hand, there are the others that regard this as a calling and do their utmost to help their learners.I know for a fact that I will never allow my children to become teachers and one day we might end with a situation where there are no teachers. Then the government will wake up but it will be too late. As for discipline, this should start at home but many parents are so busy that they don't have time for proper discipline. To make matters worse for teachers, they are usually the people who will take teachers to court of they dare to something untoward.
@crisoto1 (2)
• United States
16 Sep 09
Well I have to say i completely agree. My mother was a teacher for 20 years. It burned her out but she loves it so much she wants to go back into the field again. But the pay is just ridiculous. Doctors and lawyers are very well paid. However, the people who basically build America's future are not paid nearly enough for what the job entails. Teachers do more than just instruct, they become friends, mentors, and psychologist.
@JacquesF1 (25)
• South Africa
17 Sep 09
How true!Teachers are expected to be mothers, fathers, social workers, gidance counsellors, etc. I think we can go on and on with the list, but they are only paid for teaching. All over the world they are the poeple who ar responsible for educating the nation, but they are not valued for what they really mean and contribute. It is really a sad state of affairs.
